The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-18
THE LAST SHOT.
A Reminiscence of the Closing Scenes
of the War
From the Greensboro (Ga.) Herald.

OF UQ0 w ar.
From the Greensboro (Ga) Herald.
We had the pleasure of meeting Tuesday
the man who claims to have ordered the last
shot fired on the Confederate side during
the late unpleasantneSs. He is Mr.. A. b.
Faircloth, of Camilla, Mitchell county, Ga.
a gentleman as modest as he is brave. The
incident was told us by Capt. d, H. Sanders,
an old comrade in arms of Mr.. Faircloth,
and forms unique feature in the unwritten
history of the great struggle. Trifling in
itself the incident is only interesting and
valuable by reason of its being, so far as
the actors in it know, the very last hostile
act of any armed force of the expiring Con
federacy.
Mr.. Faircloth belonged to Co. c., End
Georgia cavalry, first IA part of Wharton's
brigade, afterwards with Wheelers com
mand, This regiment was for some time as
ISOLATED with Terry's famous Texas Rangers,
whose exploits are among the most highly
priced traditions of the war. The intimacy
that grew up between these two commands
was very close and tender, and remained un-
broken to the end. A Ranger would succor
a second Georgia cavalryman in distress as
quick as he would his own brother. They
fought together, bivouaced together, and
together went on many wild adventurous
raid.
DuU 10 UIle lnClCtelD. Lee Idu SuTTeIueTctl.
johnson had surrendered. Only Kirby
Smith remained at the head of armed re-
sistance. The Confederacy was in its death
throes Wheeler determined not to sur
render his men, but to force his way across
the country to join Smith west of the Mis-
sissippi To this end he procured the re-
moval of his command from Johnston's
army, and started upon one of the most
hazardous retreats in the annals of war.
grounding their arms; taking the oath of al
legiance to the United States government
and returning to their homes. this little
band under their gallant leader refused to
lower the ''stars and bars"
Wheeler's bold movement was kept pro
found secret, known only to his own men
and Gen. Johnston. All thought that the
war was over The Federals came freely
into the lines of their late foes, and there
was general intermingling of the "Blue
and Gray" 1t fell to the lot of Company C
to guard Wheelers rear. A barrel of
brandy was discovered just inside the re
serve picket line and these old veterans,
with true soldierly instinct, soon tapped it
and were fast getting into a hilarious condi-
ton. The Lieutenant in command of the
picket guards was in a short time unable to
distinguish a Confederate from "Yank,"
and was relieved by Mr.. Faircloth, the Or
derby Sergeant The aroma of that brandy
was waited to the olfactories of the Union
soldiers, and soon a troop of cavalry was
seen coming at headlong charge upon
that barrel Sergt. Faircloth obeyed the
orders of his chief, and the dashing squadron
was received with a volley from their picket
line They were dumbfounded, and without
returning the fire. showed a white flag.
The Sergeant advanced to parley with the
bearer of the flag of truce. "What the
deuce did you fire for? Don't you know
the war is over" This was jerked out by
the spokesman on the other side 81 obeyed
orders" calmly replied the Sergeant. mo
troops can pass my line" But, man.
Johnston has surrendered, and the war is
over. Come, let us pass, we want to taste
that brandy over there" 81 must carry
out my orders" stoutly maintained Ser
geant Faircloth, and if your men advance
they will be fired upon Butt he added
Il am expecting orders calling in my men
every minute, and if you will wait, per
hapS you may yet get drop of the
brandy
Strange to say the troop waited, and soon
the order came. Then there was a grand
rush for the barrel-when "Johnny Reb"
and "Yank" got on drunk together.
This was the last shot fired in the late
war, and the incident, now published for the
first time, will be read with interest by those
who participated in the novel scene, as well
as the general public.
To complete the story it only remains TO
tell that, acting under the advice of John
ston, Wheeler gave over his daring attempt,
and, turning over his men to the brigade,
regimental and company commanders to
act as they saw fit, gathered about him a
few bold spirits, and started to join the
head of the Confederacy in his effort to es.
cape his pursuers.